The Maple Family 



189 



ewan, and as far north as the Saskatchewan river; but it 

 has been successfully grown still farther west. It is easily 

 grown from seed, and its sap may be used for making sugar. 



2. MOUNTAIN MAPLE. Acer spicatum. Lamarck. 



This is usually a shrub, but may sometimes grow to the size 

 of a small tree. The bark is thin and brownish, the young 

 twigs being red in winter. The leaves are thin, slightly three- 

 lobed, and reddish when young. The 

 fruit is a double samara arranged in 

 drooping racemes. This tree occurs in 

 low places along the eastern side of 

 Manitoba, and westward across the 

 province at about the latitude of the 

 larger lakes, and extends for some dis- 

 tance into Saskatchewan. It generally 

 grows as a shrub or a clump of small 

 trunks from a common root. It is too 

 small to be of any economic value, as the 

 wood is light and soft, but it is some- 

 times planted as a shrub. When this is 

 done it should not be in an exposed position, as it will not stand 

 a scorching sun. 



FIG. 44. Mountain 

 Maple. 



3. SILVER MAPLE. Acer saccharinum. Linnaeus. 



This beautiful tree has been successfully introduced into 

 Manitoba and thrives well on the rich soil of the Red River 

 valley, where its growth is very rapid. Some fine specimens, 

 almost two feet in diameter, may be seen in the city of Portage 

 la Prairie, and equally good success has attended its cultiva- 

 tion farther south. At Brandon, where the altitude is higher, 

 its growth is much slower, and its final success is still a matter 

 of doubt. 



